Chapter 29 in Joy Hakim's "The First Americans" is about a man named Bartolome (Bar-toh-loh-MAY) De Las Casas who spoke out for human rights and dignity. In 1492, Las Casas's Dad and Uncle went on a voyage to the New World with Columbus. When Las Casas's father came back, he brought an Indian to be a slave for Las Casas. Casas was not happy. He even sailed for the Indies himself in 1502. Shortly after he arrived, he received a royal grant, and of course, the Indians who lived on that land were part of it.

Las Casas was upset when the Spanish used Indians for slaves. He decided to stand up for they're rights on August 15, 1514 (when he was 40). He was very convincing. Unfortunately, another man, Julian Gines De Sepulved, who was also convincing, was against him. Las Casas wrote books and didn't give up.